Top athlete Arshad Nadeem will be awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, for his outstanding performance at the Paris Olympics 2024, it was announced on Saturday. The government also directed to issue a commemorative postage stamp titled ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (Commitment to Stability) on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day next week.
Arshad Nadeem won gold in Paris Olympics
27-year-old Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw competition in Paris on Thursday with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres. His throw broke the Olympic record of 90.57 metres set at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. This is Pakistan’s first individual medal in 36 years and its first ever individual gold medal. According to media, following President Asif Ali Zardari’s directive, his office sent a letter to the Cabinet Division for formal conferment of the award.
President Zardari made this announcement
President Zardari said in his letter, “Arshad Nadeem’s remarkable performance has made the country proud on the global stage. His outstanding success in athletics is a source of pride for the country,” The President will confer a civil award on Nadeem at a special ceremony in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of sports.
postage stamp will be issued
Apart from this, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif separately directed to issue a commemorative postage stamp titled ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (Commitment to Stability) on the occasion of Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day on August 14. This stamp titled ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ symbolizes the nation’s dedication to progress and stability. Its design has the image of Nadeem and also the image of Minar-e-Pakistan, a symbol of national unity.
Arshad Nadeem receives a flurry of awards
Before Nadeem’s victory, Pakistan had never won an individual gold medal at the Olympics. Prior to this, only two Pakistani athletes had won bronze medals. These included Mohammad Bashir who won bronze in wrestling in 1960 and Hussain Shah who won bronze in boxing in 1988. Since his achievement in Paris, Nadeem has been rewarded with cash awards by Punjab, his home province, and other provincial governments and organisations.
What have been announced so far
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday announced a cash prize of Rs100 million. The Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh government announced Rs50 million, while the mayor of Sukkur city announced a ‘gold crown’ for him. Maryam Nawaz also said that a sports city will be built in the athlete’s name in his hometown Khanewal in Punjab province. Two sports facilities will also be named after Arshad Nadeem. One of these is in Karachi and the other in Sukkur city of Sindh.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)